C-span Radio - The Sidebar

Our guest this week is former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. We discussed his time as CIA Director during the first term of the Obama Administration and the process of transitioning the agency from one presidency to another. We also spoke about his advice for new Secretary of Defense, retired General James Mattis, the changes he's seen during the nearly 40 years he's spent in politics, and the importance of the President getting honest - often unvarnished - advice from his cabinet members and his White House staff. Follow C-SPAN Radio on Twitter and join the conversation using the hashtag "CSPANSidebar". Be sure to rate and review us on your podcast player. Every C-SPAN podcast is available on the FREE C-SPAN Radio App for Apple and Android devices.

Our guest this week is historian and author Michael Beschloss. We discuss the history and tradition of presidential inaugurations, as well as notable inaugural addresses from the past. We also talked about how former presidents approached writing their addresses, and the importance these remarks have on Inauguration Day. Follow C-SPAN Radio on Twitter and join the conversation using the hashtag "CSPANSidebar". Be sure to rate and review us on your podcast player. Every C-SPAN podcast is available on the FREE C-SPAN Radio App for Apple and Android devices.

Our guest this week is Ron Klain. He is a longtime democratic party operative. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Revolution LLC. Mr. Klain previously served as Chief of Staff to two Vice Presidents, Al Gore and Joe Biden. He also guided a number of nominees during their Senate confirmation hearings, including Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. We talked with Ron Klain about the confirmation process - not only for Supreme Court Justices, but also for cabinet members and the differences between the two. We also discussed the biggest misconception about the confirmation process, and what we can expect at the start of the Trump Administration. Follow C-SPAN Radio on Twitter and join the conversation using the hashtag "CSPANSidebar". Be sure to rate and review us on your podcast player. Every C-SPAN podcast is available on the FREE C-SPAN Radio App for Apple and Android devices.

Our guest this week is former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. We talked with him about the upcoming inauguration, and his advice to the incoming White House staff and Congressional leaders. Mr. Gingrich also explains why Donald Trump won the 2016 election and what the American people can expect from the Trump Administration. Follow C-SPAN Radio on Twitter and join the conversation using the hashtag "CSPANSidebar". Be sure to rate and review us on your podcast player. Every C-SPAN podcast is available on the FREE C-SPAN Radio App for Apple and Android devices.

Our guest this week is former White House Chief Usher Gary Walters. We talk about how he became the White House Chief Usher, the kind the changes that the First Family can make to the White House, and what happens inside the residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue when a new President is sworn in. Follow C-SPAN Radio on Twitter and join the conversation using the hashtag "CSPANSidebar". Be sure to rate and review us on your podcast player. Every C-SPAN podcast is available on the FREE C-SPAN Radio App for Apple and Android devices.

This week, we take you to the West Wing of the White House for a conversation with Press Secretary Josh Earnest. We talk about how he went from a Rice University graduate, to a campaign aid for a Houston mayoral campaign, to working on the 2008 Obama campaign. We also discuss the changes to the media landscape during his time in the White House, and President Obama's post-presidency plans. Follow C-SPAN Radio on Twitter and join the conversation using the hashtag "CSPANSidebar". Be sure to rate and review us on your podcast player. Every C-SPAN podcast is available on the FREE C-SPAN Radio App for Apple and Android devices.